Lasting machines

ABSTRACT

A shoemaking apparatus with a plurality of stations having instrumentalities for performing separate operations, including one for positioning an upper on a last, and a carrier guided for movement to present the last and positioned upper thereon, in succession, to the operating stations and having devices for clamping the positioned upper to the last and on the carrier, during movement of the carrier from station to station, and also during operation of the operating instrumentalities at each station.

United States Patent James R. Stewart Salem;

Robert F. Gorini, Beverly, both of, Moss. [211 App]. No. 41,384

[72] inventors [22] Filed May 28, 1970 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 [73]Assignee USM Corporation Boston, Mass.

[54] LASTING MACHINES 17 Claims, 17 Drawing Figs.

[13. Cl 12/1 ....A43d 00/00 [50] FieldolSeardl l2/l,8.l,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,088,143 5/l963 Richter etal. 12/] A 3,089,162 5/1963 Richter et al. 12/1 A PrimaryExaminer-Patrick D. Lawson AttorneysRichard A. Wise, Richard B. Megleyand Vincent A. White ABSTRACT: A shoemaking apparatus with a pluralityof stations having instrumentalities for performing separate operations,including one for positioning an upper on a last, and a carrier guidedfor movement to present the last and positioned upper thereon, insuccession, to the operating stations and having devices for clampingthe positioned upper to the last and on the carrier, during movement ofthe carrier from station to station, and also during operation of theoperating instrumentalities at each station.

PATENTED JUL2 71971 SHEET 01 0F 10 In 1/6 21 to m James 5. StewartRobert 1760/7/22 L 7 By their Afar/26y PATENTEU JULZHH?! 3, 594 ,838

PATENTED JUL27 I97! sum on or 1o PATENTEI] mama EE 05 [1F 10PATENTEUJULZYIHYI I 3,594, 38

sum as or 10 PATENTEB JUL 2 7 :9?!

sum 10 or 10 LASTING MACHINES Background of the Invention The inventionrelates to the manufacture of shoesand more particularly to a machinefor performing various operations including the so-called lastingoperation in which an upper assembled on a last is tensioned over andpositioned on the last and its lasting margin is wiped inwardly over andsecured to the bottom of the shoe.

Commonly the manufacture of shoes has been effected as a series ofseparate operations performed in a number of different machines such,for example, as pulling over operation in which the upper is tensionedover and positioned on its last and then secured by temporaryfastenings; a side lasting operation in which the lasting margin of thepulled over upper is again tensioned, drawn inwardly over and secured tothe shoe bottom along opposite sides of the shoe from about the breastline to the tip line; a toe lasting operation in which the lastingmargin of the upper at the toe end of the shoe is wiped inwardly overand secured to the shoe bottom and a heel seat lasting operation inwhich the upper is shaped to the heel end of the last by the action of aheel band and then the lasting margin is wiped inwardly over and securedto the shoe bottom. Other operations are also performed to complete theshoe such, for example as a bottoming operation-in which unitary soleand heel members are applied to the shoe bottom by attaching or moldingoperations according to well-known techniques. Various types of machineshave been proposed and are in use for perfonning each of these severaloperations, as will be well recognized by persons skilled in the art.Moreover, machines are available and in some cases are in use, whereintwo, or even more, of these separate operations may be completed such,for example, as machines for combining the pulling over operation withtoe lasting, with toe and forepart lasting, with toe, forepart and shanklasting or even with toe, forepart, shank and heel seat lasting. In someof the machines of the latter type, the shoe is supported in oneposition adjacent to upper tensioning and positioning instrumentalitiesand is then moved on its support to a different position adjacent toother lasting instrumentalities such, for example, as toe and/or heelwipers, or side lasting devices.

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel and improvedapparatus for manufacturing shoes in which the several operations areperformed separately and wherein the initial upper tensioning andpositioning operation is under the control and the direction of theoperator while the other operations are performed automatically, withoutrequiring any attention by the operator. With this object in view and inaccordance with features of this invention, there is provided a machinehaving a plurality of stations each having operating instrumentalitiesand including a station with operator controlled means for positioningthe upper on its last, together with a carrier mounted for movement topresent a shoe thereon successively to the different stations forsequential operations and having means for clamping the positioned upperagainst the last and for holding the shoe on the carrier during movementof the carrier and during the action of the operating instrumentalitiesat each of the stations. More particularly, the carrier has a supportfor the forepart of a shoe, a toe pad for clamping the shoe against thissupport together with a heel band and a toe band for clamping the upperagainst the last after it has been tensioned over and positioned on thelast. There are provided at the upper positioning station means formoving the heel band, toe band and toe pad from inoperative to operativepositions together with means for releasably holding them in saidoperative positions. The heel band is mounted for arcuate movement onthe carrier for orientation relatively to the heel seat of a shoethereon and, in accordance with another feature of the invention, poweroperated means are provided at the upper positioning station foreffecting such arcuate movement of the heel band. The action of thepower operated means is controlled by a sensing element responsive tocontact with the bottom of the heel seat portion of the shoe. To assurethat the shoe on each carrier is located in proper position relative tothe operating instrumentalities at the several different stations, inaccordance with still a further feature of the invention, there isprovided at each station a locating vmember movable into engagement withcooperating means on each carrier thereby to locate the carrier and shoethereon accurately relatively to the instrumentalities at that station.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will appear inthe following detailed description of the embodiment illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the claims.

Description of the Drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a machine embodying the features ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation at a somewhat enlarged scale of aportion of the machine showing in full lines operating elementsassociated with one of the several operating stations with which themachine is provided; and in dotted lines a shoe carrier;

FIG. 3 isa view similar to FIG. 2 with some of the operating elementsbroken away and others omitted and showing the shoe carrier operatingelements associated with the shoe carrier in full lines;

FIG. 4 is a plan view, at a still further enlarged scale, of the shoecarrier and its associated operating elements and also showing operatingelements associated with the operating station shown in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of that portion of the machine shown in FIG. 2,looking generally in the direction of the arrow V in FIG. 2 and withcertain parts omitted, particularly at the upper portion thereof;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are detail views in perspective of a portion of the shoecarrierand one of its associated operating elements;

FIGS. 8, 9, I0 and I] are similar detail views in perspective of anotherportion of the shoe carrier and the other operating elements associatedtherewith; and

FIGS. 12-17 are a series of perspective views somewhat schematicallyillustrating the operating elements associated, respectively, with theoperating station and the shoe carrier, the latter being omitted fromFIG. 12, and illustrating the different portions assumed by theseoperating elements during a complete operating cycle.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1 as indicated above and in accordance,with this invention, the machine therein illustrated has a plurality ofoperating stations, herein designated by reference characters A, B, C,D, E And F. These several operating stations are supported on afabricated frame construction, indicated generally by the referencecharacter 30, and include an upper positioning station A, a toe wipingstation B, two shank wiping stations C and D, a heel wiping station Eand an unloading or shoe release station F. Also supported on the frame30 are a pair of parallelly disposed elliptically shaped endless tracks40, 40 and mounted for movement along these two tracks by means ofantifriction wheels 42, 42 are plurality of shoe carriers eachdesignated generally by the reference character 50, see also FIGS. 2 and3.

The various wiping stations B, C, D And E are shown only generally toindicate typical operations that could be performed in the machine andare not shown or described in detail herein since their specificoperations are not necessary to an understanding of the invention.Obviously many different well-known types of wiping mechanisms could beused in the various stations. Furthermore, other stations could besubstituted or included in the machine such, for example, as forapplying sole and heel units to the shoe bottom either by directapplication or by injection molding. The important aspect to consider isthat any number or type of stations for a wide variety of operationscould be provided in the machine depending on the type of shoes desiredwithout departing from the scope of the invention.

The shoe carriers are identical in construction and each comprises anupper member and a lower member 62, FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper member 60is shaped as shown in FIGS. 4 and 13 and is secured to the lower portion62 by means of screws 64, and also by a cross member 66. The lowermember 62 is shaped as shown in FIG. 13 and carries a plate 68 forsupporting the forepart of the bottom of a shoe (see also FIG. 3). Theplate 68 is mounted for limited longitudinal movement in one directionagainst the resistance of a return spring 69. Mounted for arcuatemovement on the carrier 50 by means of guideways 70 formed on upstandinglegs of the lower carrier member 62 and tongues 72, formed integrallythereon is a cross piece 74, FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Slidably mounted in thiscross piece is a heel band supporting member 80. A constant tensionspring 82 is arranged to hold the member yieldingly in the retractedposition in which it is shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 13 and 14. Apivotally'mounted detent member 84 is adapted to engage one of a seriesof teeth 86, formed on the member 80, thus to hold it in the advanccdposition in which it is shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 15, 16 and I7. Slidablymounted on the cross member 70 is a detent releasingmember 88. Pivotallymounted on the lower side of the member 80 is a cross arm carrying atits outer ends a pair of heel band supporting arms 92. Supported onthese arms are the forward ends of a heel band assembly 94. This heelband assembly is of the universal type and has a yieldable operatingface 96 adapted to embrace the heel end of either a right or a left shoeand to clamp the upper firmly against its last. At its rear end, theheel band assembly is supported by means of a boss extending downwardlyfrom the cross bar and a pin 98 which is slidable in a bore formed inthis boss, FIG. 6. A spring 100 tends to hold the cross arm 90 in thecentered position shown.

Secured to the lower end of one of the tongues 72 is a pin (FIG. 6)which projects outwardly through the guideway 70 and through an arcuateslot 112 formed in a detent plate 114 which is fastened to the lowercarrier member 62. Pivotally mounted on the pin 110 is a detent memberwhich is yieldably urged, by means of a spring 122, into engagement witha series of teeth 124 formed on the detent plate 114. Formed integrallywith this detent are a stud 126 and an operating arm 128, FIGS. 6 and 7.The cross piece 74 is also provided at its other end with a stud 130similar to the stud 126, and the projecting through a clearance slot 132in the lower carrier member 62, see FIGS. 13 and 17. As will appearbelow, power operated means are provided at the upper positioningstation for engaging these two studs to elevate the cross piece 74 andthe heelband supporting members 80 to an angular position correspondingto the plane of the heel seat portion of a shoe S supported on thecarrier with the bottom of its forepart held against the plate 68.During such elevating movement, the detent 120 slips over the teeth 124and thereafter engages these teeth to hold the parts in elevatedposition. Power means are also provided at the upper positioning stationfor engaging a downwardly turned portion on the member 80 thus to movethe heel band assembly 94 from its retracted position to its advancedposition in which it is held by the detent 84.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, see also FIGS. 12l7, a pair of arms 150,152 are pivotally mounted on an upstanding portion 154 of the frameconstruction 30. Secured to these two arms is a U-shaped member 156 (seeFIG. 12) having forwardly extending portions 158, 160 carrying blocksI62, 164 which are shaped to engage the studs 126, 130 mentioned above.Connected to each of the forwardly extending portions 158, 160 of theU-shaped member 156 there is the rod of a piston 172 contained within acylinder 174, FIG. 3. As will be explained below, when operatingfluidunder pressure, e.g., compressed air, is admitted'to the cylinder174, beneath the piston therein, the arms 150, 152 will be swung in aclockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, counterclockwise direction in FIGS.12-17, causing the blocks 162, 164 to engage the studs 126,

130 and to elevate the cross piece 74 and the heel band carrying member80. Mounted on the U-shaped member 156 is a control valve having anoperating plunger 182 which is urged yieldingly to the positions shownin FIGS. 3 and 12 by means of a spring, not shown. The arrangement issuch that when this plunger engages the bottom of the heel seat portionof a shoe on the carrier and is moved downwardly, a slight distance, thevalve 180 acts to shut off the flow of operating fluid to the cylinders174 and connects these cylinders to exhaust. This stops the swingingaction of the arms 150, 152 and the upward angular movement of the heelband assembly and permits the arms 150, 152 to return to their originalpositions under the action of gravity. The valve 180 and its plunger 182thus function as a sensing device for determining the angular positionof the heel band relative to the plane of the heel seat portion of theshoe. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the valve 180 and its plunger 182 moveupwardly through an opening 184 which is formed in the lower carriermember 62.

Supported at each side of the upstanding portion 154 of the frame 30 isan operating cylinder containing a piston, not shown, FIGS. 4 and 12'.Each of these pistons is connected to an elongated operating rod 192which is guided in a bearing boss 194, associated with the frame portion154, FIG. 4. These operating rods are joined at their forward ends bymeans of a cross member 196 and mounted on this cross'member is anupstanding abutment 198, FIGS. 4, 12---17. Pivotally mounted on thiscross piece is an actuating lever 200, one arm of which is connected toa piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 202, supported on thecrossmember see FIG. 2. The arrangement is such that when operatingfluid is admitted to the cylinder 202, beneath the piston therein, thelever 200 will be swung in a clockwise direction, FIG. 2,counterclockwise in FIGS. 12-17, thereby moving the heel band carryingmember 80 to its advanced position, seen in FIG. 15, and causing theheel band 96 to engage the end of the shoe under a relatively lightpressure (due to the relatively small size of the piston in the cylinder202). Thereafter, as will soon be explained, when operating fluid isadmitted to the cylinders 190, the upstanding abutment member 198 willbe moved into engagement with the downwardly turned portion 140 of theheel band carrying member 80, thereby causing the heel band 96, as seenin FIG. 16, to engage the heel end of the shoe under a relatively heavypressure thus to shape the upper to the heel end of its last and toclamp the upper against the heel end of its last, after it has beentensioned and positioned on the last by instrumentalities to bedescribed and which are also associated with the upper positioningstation. 7

For holding a shoe on the carrier with its forepart clamped firmly onthe plate 68, a toe pad, indicated generally by the reference character220 is provided, FIGS. 8-11, and for shaping the forepart of the upper,and for clamping it against the last, a flexible toe band 222 isprovided. The toe pad and toe band are mounted on the upper carriermember 60 in the following manner. Slidably supported in bores 230formed in the upper carrier member 60 are two rods 232 which extendforwardly from ear portions 234 of a block 236. A coil spring 238 isarranged to hold the block 236, together with the other parts which arecarried thereby, in the retracted position in which they are shown inFIGS. 8 and 10. Mounted for vertical sliding movement in 'guidewaysformed in the block 236 is a toe band carrying block 240. A coil spring242, FIG. 11, interposed between an upper surface of the block 236 and arearwardly extending portion 244 of the block 240, yieldingly holds thelatter in an elevated position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The toe bandconstruction is of a well-known type and includes a flexible resilientfacing 250 mounted on a flexible backing member 252 which is carried bya pair of arms 254. These arms are pivotally supported on the lowerportion of the block 240 and are yieldingly urged toward each other bymeans of a tension spring 256. Preferably, and as herein illustrated,the toe band is somewhat longer than usual and adapted to extend backalong the opposite sides of the forepart of the shoe nearly to the ballline, see FIG. 4. The toe pad 220 is adjustably secured to the lowerportion of a block 260 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement ina forwardly projecting portion 262 of the block 240, FIGS. 8-10. Theblock 260 has a cylindrical portion 264 which extends upwardly beyondthe upper surface of the portion 262 of the block 240 and carried bythis cylindrical portion is a cross piece and the block 240 yieldinglyhold the block 260 in the toe pad 220 in the elevated position in whichthey are shown in FIGS. 8 and10.

As will presently appear, power operated means are provided at the upperpositioning station (a) for moving the block 236 from the retractedposition shown in FIGS. 8 and to its advanced position as shown in FIGS.9 and II, and (b) for moving the blocks 240 and 260 from the elevatedand inoperative positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 tothe lowered and operating positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 9and 11. For holding the block 236 in its advanced position, against theaction of the coil spring 238, a latch lever 270 (FIG. 11) is pivotallymounted on the upper carrier member 60. A spring 272 is arranged to urgethis latch lever into an annular groove 274 formed in a pin 276,projecting from the block 236 and provided with a tapered head 278. Astop member 280 is provided for limiting the pivotal movement of thelatch lever 270 in one direction.

The block 240, which carries the toe band, is held in its lowered andoperative position by means of a latch lever 290, FIG. 11, which ispivotally mounted in a groove 292 formed in the upper portion of theblock 236. Carried by the rearwardly projecting portion 244 of the block240 is a headed stud 294. At its lower end this stud is beveled toprovide a camming surface 296 and is formed with an annular groove 298(FIG. 11). When the block 236 is moved downwardly to its operativeposition, FIG. 9, the latch lever 290 will be swung into the groove 298by the action of a spring 300, thereby latching the toe band 222 in itsoperative position. Similarly, a detent member 310 is slidably mountedon the upper surface of the forwardly projecting portion 262 of theblock 240. A spring, not shown, yieldingly urges this detent member intoengagement with ratchet teeth fonned on one side of the cylindricalextension 264 of the block 260. These ratchet teeth are so shaped thatthe block 260 and toe pad 220 can be moved downwardly to their operatingpositions, but prevent upward movement of these parts, until the detentmember is moved out of engagement with these teeth.

The block 236, together with the other parts which are carried thereby,are moved forwardly from the retracted positions in which they are shownin FIGS. 2, 8, I0 13 and 14 to operative positions, shown in FIGS. 4, bymeans of a wedge block 330, see also FIGS. l217, which is provided withan inclined camming groove 332. A cross head 334 which is slidablymounted on the upstanding portion 154 of the frame construction 30,carries a pin 336 which rides in this groove. The cross head 334 isactuated by a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 338, thearrangement being such that when the piston is caused to be moveddownwardly within the cylinder 338, the wedge block will be moved to theright, thus moving the block 236 to the operative position shown in FIG.4, against the resistance of the spring 238. The block 236 will now beheld in its operative position by means of the latch lever 270, FIG. 11.

Pivotally mounted on the upper end of the frame portion 154 are twooperating levers 350,352, FIGS. 2 and 3. One end of the lever 350 isconnected to a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 354 whichis supported on the frame portion 154, while the other end of this leveris formed with a striking plate 356. In a like manner, one end of thelever 352 is connected to a piston, not shown, contained within acylinder 358, also supported on the frame portion 154, while the otherend of this lever is formed with a striking plate 360. When operatingfluid is admitted to the cylinder 354, beneath the piston therein, thelever 350 will be rocked in a counter clockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and3, and its end 356 will engage the headed stud 294 thus moving the block240 downwardly and bringing the toe band 222 into operative position, asshown in FIGS. 9, 16 and 17. The block downwardly and bringing the toeband 222 into operative position, as shown in FIGS. 9, 16 and 17. Theblock 240 and the toe band 222 will now be held in this position by theaction of the latch lever 290. In a like manner, when operating fluid isadmitted to the cylinder 358, beneath the piston therein, the lever 352will be rocked in a counterclockwise direction, FIGS. 2, and 3, and itsend 360 will engage the upper end of the cylindrical portion 264 of theblock 260, thus moving this block downwardly and bringing the toe padinto operative position as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The block 260 andtoe pad will now be held in these positions by the action of the detentmember 310.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that each of the severalshoe carriers is provided with a support for the forepart of a shoe(plate 68); means for clamping the forepart of a shoe against thissupport (toe pad 220); means for clamping the tensioned and positionedupper against the last, at its heel end (heel band 94) and at theforepart thereof (toe band 222). Moreover, there are associated with theupper positioning station A, means for actuating the heel band (lever200 and abutment 198), the toe or forepart band (lever 350) and the toepad (lever 352), and also for releasably holding these parts inoperative position as the carrier is moved to present the shoe thereonto the action of different lasting instrumentalities at the otheroperating station.

Also associated with the upper positioning station are a toe gripper 400and two side grippers 402, 402 FIGS. 2-5, 12, 13 and 14. These grippersare power operated and are generally of the same construction as, andare operated by mechanism similar to that provided in, so-called pullingover machines which are well-known to those skilled in the art. Thus,the toe gripper is adapted to be closed by means of a piston, not shown,contained within a cylinder 410 which cylinder is, in turn, mounted formovement in a direction extending generally heightwise relatively to ashoe on the carrier 50, FIGS. 2 and 3, by means of another piston, notshown, contained within a cylinder 412, acting through a bell cranklever 414 and links 416 and 418. A third arm of the bell crank lever 414is connected by means of a link 420 to a lever 422, pivotally mounted onthe frame portion 154 and having an upwardly extending handle portion424. As shown in FIG. 2 the cylinder 410 rides on a guide roller 426 andmeans are provided, including anadjusting knob 428, FIG. 1, for varyingthe position of this roller to adjust the angle of the toe gripper.

Each side gripper is adapted to be closed by means of a piston, notshown, contained within a cylinder 440, FIG. 5, and each of thesecylinders is mounted for heightwise movement on a bracket member 442 bymeans of another piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 444.Each of the bracket members 442 is mounted on a lever 450 which ispivotally mounted on a portion of the frame 30 and connected, by meansof a link 452 to another piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder454. Also connected to each of the bracket members 442, by means of alink 460, is a hand lever 462, see FIGS. 2 and 4. As can be seen in FIG.5, the side gripper cylinders 440 each ride on a guide roller 470 andmeans are provided, including an adjusting knob 472, FIG. 1, foractuating these guide rollers thus to change the positions of thegrippers 402 in directions extending widthwise of the shoe.

As indicated above, the herein illustrated machine has six operatingstations, only one of which, i.e., the upper positioning station, isshown in detail. The other stations are only illustrated generally toshow their positions relative to the upper positioning station. Thereare also six shoe carriers 50 and it is contemplated that these carriersmay be connected together in uniformly spaced relation, for example, bymeans of a chain, not shown, for indexing movements to present suchcarriers, successively, first to the upper positioning station A andthen to the other five stations B, C, D, E, and F in succession. Foraccurately locating each carrier relatively to the operatinginstrumentalities at each of the respective operating stations, alocating mechanism is provided at each operating station.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and I2, there is slidably mountedfor vertical movement within a guide member 500, forming part of themachine frame construction, a plunger 502 having a conical upper end504. Carried by this plunger is a three-armed frame member 510, one armof which is secured to the upper end of the plunger. Each of the othertwo arms 512, 514 has an upwardly extending cylindrical portion andthese cylindrical portions, respectively, are provided with conical ends516, 518. Formed on the underneath side of each of lower carrier member62 are three conical recesses 520 (FIG. 3). The plunger 502 is connectedto a piston, not shown, contained within a cylinder 530. After theseveral carriers 50 have been indexed and presented to the nextsucceeding operating station, operating fluid is admitted to the severalcylinders 530 causing the pistons therein to elevate the severallocating frame members 510 to a predetermined heightwise position. Whenin their elevated positions, the conical ends 504, 516 and 518 of eachmember 510 enter the conical recesses 520 of its associated shoe carrierand lift the carrier slightly, just enough to take the eight 'of thecarrier off of its antifriction wheels 42, 42. Also, as a result of theinteraction of the conical ends 504, 516 and 518 and the conicalrecesses 520, each carrier will be accurately located relatively to theoperating instrumentalities of the particular operating station to whichit has just been moved. During the operation of the instrumentalities atthe different operating stations, the earriers are thus supported by thelocating frame members 510, see FIGS. 3, l3 and 17. At the completion ofthese operations and just before the next indexing movements of thecarriers, the locating frame members 510 are moved downwardly to theirretracted and inoperative position as shown in FIG. 2.

Secured to the locating frame member 510 is a guide block 540 (FIG. 3)in which there is slidably mounted a toe gauge 542, and a cylinder 544.The toe gauge is connected to a piston, not shown. When operating fluidis admitted to the cylinder 544, beneath the piston therein, the toegauge 542 will be elevated to the operative position in which it isshown in FIG. 3. On the other hand, the admission of operating fluid tothe cylinder above this piston will cause the toe gauge to be retractedto the inoperative position in which it is shown in FIG. 12.

The control of the operation of the several active actuating pistons,not shown, which have been referred to in the foregoing description iseffected by means of a conventional fluid pressure operating systemincluding various control and sequence valves, not shown, and operatoractuated control devices, arranged in a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art and operating in a manner to be described. Theoperator actuated control devices include four control buttons 600, 602,604 and 606 conveniently mounted on a control panel 608 supported at thefront of the machine, FIG. 1, and a foot treadle 610.

At the beginning of each operating cycle of the machine, the severalshoe carriers 50 will be positioned adjacent to their respectiveoperating stations, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring particularly toFIG. 13, the several latches and detents 84, 120, 270, 290 and 310,associated with the carrier at this operating station, (upperpositioning station A) will have been released at the unloading stationF so that the heel band 94, toe pad 220 and the toe band 222 will beretracted to their in operative positions. In response to the actuationof the control button 600, the locating frame member 510 will beelevated, thereby locating the carrier 50 accurately relatively to theoperating instrumentalities 400, 402 and 402 at this station. At otherstations, location would be relative to other instrumentalities such aswipers. Also, the toe gauge 542 will be moved upwardly to its operativepositions and the toe and side grippers 400, 402 and 402 will beelevated to their operative positions in which they are shown in FIGS. 2and 5.

The operator now places a shoe S, comprising an upper U looselyassembled on a last L (FIG. 13) on the carrier with the forepart of itsbottom resting flatly on the supporting plate 68 and with the toe end ofthe last in engagement with the toe gauge 542 (FIG. 3). After insertingthe lasting margin of the upper into the open jaws of the toe and sidegrippers 400, 402 and 402, and while still holding the shoe in thisposition and with its longitudinal axis generally parallel with thecenter line of the carrier, see FIG. 4, he partially depresses the foottreadle 610. As a result of this partial depression of the foot treadle, the toe gripper jaws close on the lasting margin of the upper. Ifthe operator is satisfied that the upper is properly positioned in thetoe gripper, he then fully depresses the treadle otherwise he releasesthe treadle to open the gripper jaws, permitting him to relocate theupper therein.

Upon full depression of the treadle the following actions occur. Theside grippers close on the upper and then all the grippers are moveddownwardly by their associated pistons, thereby to tension the upper Uover and to shape it to the last L, the arrangement preferably beingsuch that the toe gripper pull is applied slightly beforethe sidegripper pull. With the upper tensioned over the last (FIG. 14) operatingfluid is first admitted to the cylinders 174 causing the arms 150, 152to be swung in a counterclockwise direction from FIGS. 2 and 3. Duringthis swinging movement of these arms, the blocks 158 engage the studs126, I30 and lift the cross member 74, together with the heel bandassembly 94. This swinging movement of the arms 150, I52 and the liftingof the heel band assembly continue until the plunger I82 engages theheel seat portion of the bottom of the shoe and actuates the controlvalve 180. The heel band carrying member is then in a position properlyto orient the heel band relatively to the plane of the heel seat portionof the shoe and the parts are held in this position by the detent 120.Actuation of the control valve 180' also causes operating fluid to beadmitted to the cylinder 202, swinging the lever 200 to the dotted lineposition shown in FIG. 3, thereby moving the heel band carrying member80 to the right to the dotted line position shown (see also FIG. 15).The heel band assembly 94 then initially engages the heel end of theshoe under a relativelylight pressure which is, however, sufficient toswing the heel end of the shoe to the right or to the left, as required,to center it relatively to the line of the carrier.

The operator visually inspects the position of the tensioned upper onthe last and, if correction is required, he manipulates the toe and/orside grippers by means of hand levers 424, 462 in the usual manner toreposition the upper on the last. When satisfied that the tensionedupper is properly positioned, the operator actuates the control button604. As a result thereof, operating fluid is first admitted to thecylinder 338, thereby causing the wedge block 330 to be moved to theposition in which it is shown in FIG. 4, thus moving the block 236 tothe position shown in this FIG. and bringing the toe band 222 indirectly over the forepart ofthe shoe 5. Next, operating fluid isadmitted to the cylinder 354. The lever 350 is swung in acounterclockwise direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, so that its end 356 engagesthe headed stud 294 and pushes the block 240 downwardly, thereby causingthe toe band 222 to clamp the tensioned upper U firmly against theforepart of the last L, see FIG. I6.

As the toe band is thus operated, the toe gauge is pushed downwardly outof the way and the toe and side grippers are released and moveddownwardly to their inoperative positions. Immediately thereafter,operating fluid is admitted to the cylinder 358 so that the lever 352 isswung in a counterclockwisev direction, FIGS. 2 and 3, thereby causingits end 360 to engage the upper end of the cylindrical portion of theblock 260 and to push this block downwardly, thereby causing the toe pad220 to engage the toe end of the shoe and to clamp it firmly against thesupporting plate 68, FIG. 16.

Finally, operating fluid is admitted to cylinders 190. As a result, thevertically extending abutment 198 is moved into engagement with thedownwardly turned end portion of the heel band assembly carrying member80, and the heel band assembly is moved further to the right to thesolid line position shown in FIG. 3. This causes the heel band 96 toclamp the tensioned upper firmly against the heel end portion of thelast.

The shoe is now held against the supporting plate 68 by the toe pad andis in effect clamped between the toe band 222 and the heel band 96.

The operator then actuatcs the control button 606, causing operatingfluid to be admitted to the opposite ends of the several operatingcylinders previously mentioned and other operating cylinders to beconnected to exhaust. As a result of this, the block 330 is retracted(cylinder 338); levers 350, 352 are swung upwardly (cylinders 354, 358)to their inoperative positions, FIG. 3; lever 200 and abutment 198 areretracted (cylinders 190 and 192) the arms 150, 152 are swung downwardly(cylinders 174) and the carrier locating frame member 510 is lowered(530) thereby releasing the carrier 50 together with the shoe thereonfor movement along the tracks 40, 40. The several latch members anddetents 84, 120, 270, 290 and 310 now hold the toe band, heel bandassembly 94 and toe pad 220 in their operative positions as the carrierproceeds to the next operating station where the shoe is presented todifferent operating instrumentalities associated therewith. As eachcarrier is presented to the unloading station F these several latchesand detent members are released, either by the operator orautomatically, thus permitting the toe band 222, toe pad 220 and heelhand assembly 94 to be retracted and to their inoperative positions, asshown in FIG. 13, by the springs associated therewith so that thc lastedshoe may be removed. Upon removal of the lasted shoc at the unloadingstation, indexing movements of the several shoe carriers will beefiected, thus presenting the just unloaded carrier to the upperpositioning station A.

Having described the invention, what we claim as new and desired toprotect by US. Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for lasting shoes having a plurality of operating stationseach provided with instrumentalities for performing a separate lastingoperation on a shoe and a station provided with means for tensioning anupper over, and for positioning it on, its last, a carrier for a shoecomprising an upper and an insole assembled on a last, and means forguiding the carrier for movement from said upper tensioning andpositioning station to present the shoe, successively, to said otherstations, said carrier having means for clamping a tensioned andpositioned upper to the last and for holding the shoe on the carrierduring movement of the carrier and during the action of the lastinginstrumentalities at said other stations.

2. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are associated witheach station for locating a carrier to present the shoe thereon inproper position relative to its lasting instrumentalities.

3. A machine as set forth in claim I wherein the means for tensioningand positioning the upper comprises a toe gripper and side grippers,power means for operating the grippers to tension the upper over itslast and manually operable means for controlling the action of saidgrippers to position the upper on the last.

4 A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping thetensioned and positioned upper to its last comprise a toe band and aheel band and wherein the means for holding the shoe on the carriercomprises a toe pad, and wherein means are provided at the uppertensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band and the heelband to operative positions after the upper has been tensioned andpositioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein means are provided on thecarrier for holding said toe band, heel band and toe pad in operativepositions during movement of the carrier and during the action of thelasting instrumentalities at said other stations.

6. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping thetensioned and positioned upper to its last comprises a toe band and themeans for holding the shoe on the carrier comprise a toe pad and whereinmeans are provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station formoving the toe band to operative position after the upper has beentensioned and positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad tooperative position.

7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the toe band is mounted onthe carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe thereonand wherein the means for operating the toe band include power operatedmembers at the upper tensioning and locating station for effecting saidlengthwise and heightwise movements of the toe band to cause it to wipethe tensioned upper heightwise of the last and to clamp the upper to thelast.

8. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are provided forengaging the toe end of the last to locate the shoe in a lengthwisedirection on the carrier.

9. A machine as set'forth in claim 8 wherein the means for locating theshoe on the carrier includes a retractable toe gauge 10. A machine asset forth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned andpositioned upper to the last comprise a heel band and the means forholding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toe pad and wherein meansare provided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for movingthe heel band to operative position after the upper has been ten sionedand positioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operativeposition.

11. A machine as set forth in claim 10 wherein the heel band is mountedon the carrier for arcuate movement and wherein means are provided atthe upper tensioning and positioning station for effecting such arcuatemovement of the heel band to orient the heel band relatively to thebottom of the heel end of a shoe.

12. A machine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for effectingarcuate movement of the heel band comprises power operated meanstogether with means for controlling the action of said power operatedmeans including a sensing member for engaging the heel end of the bottomof the shoe.

13. In a machine for manufacturing shoes a carrier for transporting ashoe from upper tensioning and positioning instrumentalities to presentthe shoe successively to the action of other separate instrumentalitiesfor operating on the shoe comprising a frame member provided with asupport for the forepart of the bottom of a shoe, a heel b'and movableto operative position for clamping the upper of the shoe to the heel endof its last, means for releasably holding the heel band in saidoperative position, a toe band movable to operative position forclamping the upper to the forepart of the last, means for releasablyholding the toe band in operative position, a toe pad movable tooperative position for clamping the shoe against said support and meansfor releasably holding the toe pad in operative position.

14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the heel band is mounted onthe carrier for arcuate movement to orient the heel band relating to thebottom of the heel end of a shoe on the carrier.

15. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the toe band is mounted onthe carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe thereon tobring the toe band to its 0perative position.

16. A machine for use in the manufacture of shoes having a plurality ofoperating stations each provided with instrumentalitics for performing aseparate operation on a shoe and a station provided with means forpositioning an upper on a last, a carrier for the last and positionedupper, and means for guiding the carrier for movement from said upperpositioning station to present the shoe successively to said otherstations, said carrier having means for clamping the positioned upper tothe last and for holding the last and upper on the carrier duringmovement of the carrier and during the action of the instrumentalitiesat said other stations.

17. A machine according to claim 16 wherein means are associated witheach station for locating the carrier to present the shoe thereon inproper position relative to its operating instrumentalities.

1. A machine for lasting shoes having a plurality of operating stationseach provided with instrumentalities for performing a separate lastingoperation on a shoe and a station provided with means for tensioning anupper over, and for positioning it on, its last, a carrier for a shoecomprising an upper and an insole assembled on a last, and means forguiding the carrier for movement from said upper tensioning andpositioning station to present the shoe, successively, to said otherstations, said carrier having means for clamping a tensioned andpositioned upper to the last and for holding the shoe on the carrierduring movement of the carrier and during the action of the lastinginstrumentalities at said other stations.
 2. A machine as set forth inclaim 1 wherein means are associated with each station for locating acarrier to present the shoe thereon in proper position relative to itslasting instrumentalities.
 3. A machine as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe means for tensioning and positioning the upper comprises a toegripper and side grippers, power means for operating the grippers totension the upper over its last and manually operable means forcontrolling the action of said grippers to position the upper on thelast.
 4. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means forclamping the tensioned and positioned upper to its last comprise a toeband and a heel band and wherein the means for holding the shoe on thecarrier comprises a toe pad, and wherein means are provided at the uppertensioning and positioning station for moving the toe band and the heelband to operative positions after the upper has been tensioned andpositioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.5. A machine as set forth in claim 4 wherein means are provided on thecarrier for holding said toe band, heel band and toe pad in operativepositions during movement of the carrier and during the action of thelasting instrumentalities at said other stations.
 6. A machine as setforth in claim 1 wherein the means for clamping the tensioned andpositioned upper to its last comprises a toe band and the means forholding the shoe on the carrier comprise a toe pad and wherein means areprovided at the upper tensioning and positioning station for moving thetoe band to operative position after the upper has been tensioned andpositioned and for thereafter moving the toe pad to operative position.7. A machine as set forth in claim 6 wherein the toe band is mounted onthe carrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of the shoe thereonand wherein the means for operating the toe band include power operatedmembers at the upper tensioning and locating station for effecting saidlengthwise and heightwise movements of the toe band to caUse it to wipethe tensioned upper heightwise of the last and to clamp the upper to thelast.
 8. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein means are providedfor engaging the toe end of the last to locate the shoe in a lengthwisedirection on the carrier.
 9. A machine as set forth in claim 8 whereinthe means for locating the shoe on the carrier includes a retractabletoe gauge.
 10. A machine as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means forclamping the tensioned and positioned upper to the last comprise a heelband and the means for holding the shoe on the carrier comprises a toepad and wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning andpositioning station for moving the heel band to operative position afterthe upper has been tensioned and positioned and for thereafter movingthe toe pad to operative position.
 11. A machine as set forth in claim10 wherein the heel band is mounted on the carrier for arcuate movementand wherein means are provided at the upper tensioning and positioningstation for effecting such arcuate movement of the heel band to orientthe heel band relatively to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe.
 12. Amachine as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for effectingarcuate movement of the heel band comprises power operated meanstogether with means for controlling the action of said power operatedmeans including a sensing member for engaging the heel end of the bottomof the shoe.
 13. In a machine for manufacturing shoes a carrier fortransporting a shoe from upper tensioning and positioninginstrumentalities to present the shoe successively to the action ofother separate instrumentalities for operating on the shoe comprising aframe member provided with a support for the forepart of the bottom of ashoe, a heel band movable to operative position for clamping the upperof the shoe to the heel end of its last, means for releasably holdingthe heel band in said operative position, a toe band movable tooperative position for clamping the upper to the forepart of the last,means for releasably holding the toe band in operative position, a toepad movable to operative position for clamping the shoe against saidsupport and means for releasably holding the toe pad in operativeposition.
 14. A machine according to claim 13 wherein the heel band ismounted on the carrier for arcuate movement to orient the heel bandrelating to the bottom of the heel end of a shoe on the carrier.
 15. Amachine according to claim 13 wherein the toe band is mounted on thecarrier for movements lengthwise and heightwise of a shoe thereon tobring the toe band to its operative position.
 16. A machine for use inthe manufacture of shoes having a plurality of operating stations eachprovided with instrumentalities for performing a separate operation on ashoe and a station provided with means for positioning an upper on alast, a carrier for the last and positioned upper, and means for guidingthe carrier for movement from said upper positioning station to presentthe shoe successively to said other stations, said carrier having meansfor clamping the positioned upper to the last and for holding the lastand upper on the carrier during movement of the carrier and during theaction of the instrumentalities at said other stations.
 17. A machineaccording to claim 16 wherein means are associated with each station forlocating the carrier to present the shoe thereon in proper positionrelative to its operating instrumentalities.